Our Staff
Bernard Georges
Bernard Georges immigrated to Rhode Island from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, as a youth graduating from Providence’s Central High School. He then earned an Associate Degree from community college of Rhode Island continued his studies and earned a B.S. in Criminal Justice. Mr. Georges then completed a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Roger Williams University in 2015. Mr. Georges serves on the boards of several community organizations, namely he is Board Chair for The Refugee Dream Center and serves as a board member for Congressman Jim-Langevin’s Diversity Committee and Governor Gina Raimondo. His is also active with the Society for Public Administration. Georges finds inspiration for public service inspired by historical leaders such as Jean Jacques Dessalines, Toussaint L’Ouverture, John Lock, Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, Thurgood Marshall, and many others. During his time in Rhode Island, Mr. Georges has displayed a keen interest in the community issues and interned at both the Rhode Island Superior Court and the Narragansett Police Department. Mr. Georges has held numerous leadership positions with public recognition for his service. Mr. Georges has experience in clinical work at Rhode Island Supreme Court and is dedicated to community work. He is most proud of his work through his own non-profit work within the Haitian community helping immigrant families navigate social services and assimilation into Rhode Island and American life. Read more
Valency M Hector
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Niyoka Powell
Niyoka Powell immigrated to the United States from Jamaica. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Rhode Island College. Ms. Powell has experience in mental health and has worked in the healthcare field for over 12 years here in Rhode Island and 3 years in the state of Connecticut. She was a Wellness Ambassador, promoting healthy habits amongst the staff in the hospital. She has worked as a personal assistant and transcriptionist to an agency Cardiologist from India. Ms. Powell also holds a certificate in Business Planning and Leadership through the Center for Women and Enterprise.
Ms. Powell is a founding member of Millennial RI, was Secretary of the Board for Millennial RI, and was a keynote speaker in Millennial RI’s Millennial Mondays series in August 2017 post board resignation. Powell was co-chair in the City of Providence’s Find-Your-Four Energy Challenge in 2016. Niyoka Powell currently holds six citations from Rhode Island elected officials for her work in the community with New Bridges for Haitian Success, Inc. at this year’s 2019 Haitian Flag Day Celebration.